Talking France

This week, we will look at the latest flare up between the government and French farmers, many of whom have been spending recent days blockading motorways or public buildings and basically trying to get the government to listen. We'll also find out about a significant vote in the French parliament about residency permits and look at the new French Civics Test that will be compulsory in 2026 for ci...

It seems no one likes dual nationals these days. They are being picked on by politicians in countries across the world. We'll look at whether the rules around dual citizenship could change in France and also remind you of some big changes ahead for anyone planning on becoming French. We'll also find out why French police and their boss - the French interior minister are up in arms and threatening...

This week we have all the latest on the budget showdown in what is a crucial week for the French government. We'll hear about a new high speed train service linking two of France's big cities, but why it isn't quite as direct as it sounds. We'll examine whether France's ecotax on plane tickets is really leading to airlines cancelling flights and, forget the Nordic countries we'll hear how France i...

With French army generals giving speeches about the need to protect ourselves, the president announcing new plans for military service and French authorities telling us we all need to prepare an emergency box with blankets, baby food and board games, this week we'll look at why all the talk of war in France right now? And could change finally be ahead for the French school calendar. Are they about...

Take advantage of our half price Black Friday offer and join The Local France today for just €24.99. This week we'll gaze into our crystal balls and look to the future, to that day, and a momentous day it will be, an occasion where everyone will remember exactly where they were, the day when France agrees its 2026 budget. Unless it doesn't happen. We'll also explain why a small mass held for...

This week we’ll bring you up to date on the crucial 2026 budget that’s edging its way through parliament and look at what it might mean for you, plus news on the strikes that lie ahead in France. We’ll find out about a plan to make American retirees pay into the French health system to guarantee they can get care, plus look at the impact of airbnb around France. Has it turned rural villages into g...

We simply cannot not discuss the 88 million euro jewellery heist at France's most famous museum The Louvre in this week's episode. How could it happen? Some blame lax security, others blame funding cuts, some blame Macron of course, whilst our politics expert recons France just has too much treasure to look after it all.  And France's government is hanging by a thread. Can it get a vital budg...

You'll be glad to know things have become just a little clearer since last week when it comes to what is going on in France. Just a little. We have a new government, we kind of have a new prime minister, we've had a major retreat by the French president Emmanuel Macron, and we have a crucial few weeks ahead of us in France, during which, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say,  the future...

Talking France is back with a new episode, slightly earlier than planned because France has another meltdown. Forgive us for the title, but listen to the episode and you'll understand why we chose it. Even in a country that has made its name as Europe's political madhouse over the last year or so, this latest crisis took us all by surprise. Yes, France's new prime minister quit this week, just hou...

A former French president is set to spend some time behind bars in prison, quite a bit of time actually. Yes Nicolas Sarkozy, remember him, he’s been up to no good. Again. We'll hear about France's reaction to poor old Sarko being sent down and ask why are France's centre-right, law and order loving, politicians so... crooked? (Not all of them of course) We'll also lament the demise of Paris's, pe...

This week we’ll look at whether France’s new prime minister can do anything to appease the obstinate opposition in parliament and whether he’s got any chance of calming the growing anger on the streets. We’ll also find out why protests in France always spark a row over numbers, how Americans are being ripped off in Paris, why the French state may no longer pay for your 18-day trip to a thermal spa...

On this week's show we'll bring you up to date with the turmoil in France, which shows no sign of calming down. The country has another new PM, but another day of strikes, protests and potential clashes looms large. Is there any way the crisis can be resolved? France's tax man is well nourished but there's a new plan gaining popularity that would see the country's richest pay more. But who's behin...

The French government has collapsed again after Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a vote of confidence in parliament on Monday night. We've been here before of course, but the latest French political crisis feels even more fraught with President Emmanuel Macron running out of options and numerous strikes and opposition movements lined up for the days ahead. What happens now? What happens in Fran...

Be warned, France’s strike calendar for September is quickly filling up as various unions announce industrial action that could impact, well, pretty much all aspects of life in France. We’ll look at just how much disruption and political discord lie ahead over the next few weeks in France. And remember this could be the last Talking France episode with Francois Bayrou as Prime Minister. We’ll expl...

So summer's almost over, but it's been an eventful one in France. We'll bring you up to date with what's been happening. But the thrust of this week's episode and the reason we've started the new series a week earlier than planned is that France has, once again, been plunged into, yep you can guess what I'm going to say next: a new political crisis. The country is facing "great danger" says the PM...

This final episode of the season is all about looking ahead to the summer in France. And it plans to be a hot one, in more ways than one with a raft of possible transport strikes ahead that could impact your holidays. We'll get all the latest on industrial action, some possible political turbulence as well as look ahead to some major summer events in France and find out just how extreme the heatwa...

This week we'll find out about how toxic green algae on Brittany's famously picturesque beaches claimed the life of a French jogger and perhaps others plus the role French farming and even the state played in his death. We'll also look at the far less sparkly side of France's prestigious Champagne industry that's exposed how badly grape pickers are treated and bring you all the details about how y...

Up this week : It's been another bad week for the reputation of French politicians. We'll discuss why they are so naughty, and when I say naughty I mean corrupt, rather than bed hopping. And we'll also bring you the good news that Paris and Charles de Gaulle airport will soon have a direct train link that's been centuries in the making. Although there's some bad news too given how much it's going...

This week we discuss a shocking incident which saw a teaching assistant stabbed to death by a pupil outside a French secondary school, and find out what the government plans to do, to tackle what the president has described as a "senseless wave of violence". We'll also find out about the efforts Paris is going to to protect the Seine and reveal all about Paris's second, secret river, that may be g...

This week we'll explain the ongoing and far-from-brotherly dispute behind the different kinds of taxi drivers in France and whether they'll ever declare peace with each other. We'll examine why France's efforts to clean up the air in its polluted cities might be about to go up in smoke and explain France's new rules on smoking outdoors - and how they will impact both smokers and non-smokers. And w...

In the line up this week we'll explain what prompted the huge reaction to that coming together between Brigitte Macron's hands and Emmanuel Macron's face.  You must have seen the video by now. We don't know what happened but we do know what happened next. And from taxi driver blockades to farmers protesting in tractors and mysterious blackouts in the south, we'll bring you the latest on ongoi...

This week we'll explain a spate of recent worrying kidnappings in France and what the French government is doing to halt them, plus we'll try and alleviate any fears for tourists in Paris after reports of two Americans being attacked by a street vendor wielding mini-Eiffel towers. We'll also look at how you might be affected by the agreements drawn up in the much-hyped UK - EU post Brexit deal thr...

This week we hear about how the unpopular President Emmanuel Macron plans to box himself out of a corner into the centre of the ring and if he’s actually going to hold any of his much talked about referendums. We’ll also find out about France’s urban rodeos and why they are so popular but also so dangerous. We’ll hear why the scandalous Dreyfus affair is such a key moment in French history, and wh...

In the show this week, French interior minister has announced plans to toughen up the requirements for becoming French - including a possible new history and civics test. We'll look at what he's got in mind for future citizenship applicants and most importantly whether it will actually change anything. We'll also find out about new proposals in France to get kids off their screens. Could France ma...

For this week's big talking points we'll look at what's happening on May Day in France, why French bakers are up in arms this year and whether there'll be any riots. And the future of France is at stake, according to the French PM and he's blaming the French for not working hard enough. We'll find out what needs to happen for France to be saved. And we'll hear why Americans are all moving to the F...